Talk me into/out of FFP for hunting

[Greyfox]

I use both FFP and SFP interchangeably. As for hunting, I have had equal success with both, and can't place blame for a miss or lost opportunity on the design of either. Each design has its attributes. I'm more adamant about using an FFP exclusively for the tactical sports where reticle holds and turret adjustments are more efficient under the time restraints and variable target ranges/course scenarios.
Hunting applications tend to be more methodical, at least for me. An SFP will get the job done and can be more cost effective due to its design simplicity compared to the FFP.
The ground has been well covered as to the operational differences and the reasons for one's preferences….And this surely varies by individual. IMO, the best way to establish your preference(or not) for either is to actually try/use them.

 

[skipglo]

Low power ffp without illumination is totally worthless for hunting in my opinion.
Now, if you have good illumination, I'll pick ffp every time.

X2

 

[Forcedoutage]

Very very very reticle dependent. There are some FFP reticle a that you can't see much and suck for jumped game and there are some that are really good. I don't like having to walk in or out or around with illumination on and depend on it staying on or not being dead when I need it. So take illumination out of the equation unless you want to talk trijicon. They are very good for jumped game.

If I'm shooting distance, I'm dialed up and taking a shot where I need the reticle to be right, I'm dialed up high enough for it to work. So no issues there.

So I don't see a ton of difference or advantage of FFP over SFP. If I spot a target and shoot long, I'm magnified up anyway and the reticle is right. If I jump one short, I need to see my reticle and the specific reticle is more important there.

Maybe there is some magic mid range distance when you don't have time to dial and want to hold over and your top power is too high to see well? I can't imagine that unless you have a 35-40 power scope on a hunting righ

I have both and see the advantage in competition. For hunting, a SFP is good to me. FFP can be as good, but you must have the right reticle.

 

[Stgraves260]

I've used FFP and SFP both over the years. I think I only have 2 scopes left that are SFP out of about 30 rifles. If you think that the crosshairs are to big on a higher magnification then just turn it down. It's simple. All my scopes have hash marks in them to help with ranging, and measuring targets. The hashmarks also help with moving targets and wind. To be able to use any power is a great thing to have with FFP. On SFP when shooting a target or animal the etching/hashmarks get in the way and blocks your shot. FFP this is not a problem. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[Stgraves260]

I've used FFP and SFP both over the years. I think I only have 2 scopes left that are SFP out of about 30 rifles. If you think that the crosshairs are to big on a higher magnification then just turn it down. It's simple. All my scopes have hash marks in them to help with ranging, and measuring targets. The hashmarks also help with moving targets and wind. To be able to use any power is a great thing to have with FFP. On SFP when shooting a target or animal the etching/hashmarks get in the way and blocks your shot. FFP this is not a problem. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[tribb]

Seeing the crosshairs at low power really isn't an issue. The big issue I have with FFP scopes is that it gets pretty difficult to sort things out at high power unless it's a really simple, clean reticle.

I prefer SFP, much simpler and if you're not hung up on using the scope as a range finder there's no reason to go to FFP. Generally FFP is going to also be more expensive than a comparable SFP scope.

Well put

 

[matt_3479]

Disagree with Matt about illumination.

Nothing to disagree with there boss, I was just stating that I litterally never use it. Didn't say it wasn't worth it. I generally only buy optics with illumination even though I don't use it. Mainly cause of resale, and if I'm in the bush it helps, but I don't coyotes in the bush so it's never used on my rig.

 

[Stgraves260]

Hum. It's interesting on how people use illuminated scopes. I use my illuminated reticle on dark color targets. I don't use it just because it's dark outside. I don't think that was it's intended design. That being said, by all means use whatever works for you. Lets say a black or brown hog is in the shadows of a tree or the bush. You can see the hog with your naked eye easily, but as soon as you shoulder your firearm and look through your scope your crosshairs disappear. You can not see the center of your crosshairs ( you can estimate, but you can not see them ) are aiming or your Etching on your glass. I use my illuminated reticle more in daylight than at night. I all most never use my illuminated reticle at night. If I'm spotlighting varmints at night with a white light is about the only time. I usually use my thermal or my night vision optics For that situation.

 

[WildRose]

Hum. It's interesting on how people use illuminated scopes. I use my illuminated reticle on dark color targets. I don't use it just because it's dark outside. I don't think that was it's intended design. That being said, by all means use whatever works for you. Lets say a black or brown hog is in the shadows of a tree or the bush. You can see the hog with your naked eye easily, but as soon as you shoulder your firearm and look through your scope your crosshairs disappear. You can not see the center of your crosshairs ( you can estimate, but you can not see them ) are aiming or your Etching on your glass. I use my illuminated reticle more in daylight than at night. I all most never use my illuminated reticle at night. If I'm spotlighting varmints at night with a white light is about the only time. I usually use my thermal or my night vision optics For that situation.

Same here. It's very easy to lose your crosshairs against a dark target especially if that target is in a shady spot.

 

[Rick Richard]

Same here. It's very easy to lose your crosshairs against a dark target especially if that target is in a shady spot.

Anything is possible I guess, but in all my years of hunting I have never had this happen. Am I in the minority or lucky to have great eye sight? Doubt it.

 

[Ohlongarm]

WHAT

A FFP reticle will cover no more of the target at 15x as it does at 3x. So your fears of not being able to see an animal at max magnification is unfounded, unless you are shooting field mice at 1000 yards. Not a joke, we have shot squirrels at 741, 852, and 1201 with FFP scopes.
Your fears of not being able to see the reticle at min magnification depends on your eyes and the reticle. It is basically a fine crosshair at min. If you can see a fine crosshair SFP, you will be fine.

Rocks are at 741 yards
3x
View attachment 336801
10x
View attachment 33680315x
View attachment 336804
20x
View attachment 336805
24x
View attachment 336806
This is at 545, on 24x, and is a truer representation of what your eyes see when looking through the scope.
View attachment 336812
Target is at 200 yards.
3x
View attachment 336813
10x
View attachment 336814
24x
View attachment 336816

What scope is that, nothing beats a dot in ffp for hunting , and fast shot acquisition, and of course illuminated.

 

[Ohlongarm]

Anything is possible I guess, but in all my years of hunting I have never had this happen. Am I in the minority or lucky to have great eye sight? Doubt it.

Even 20/20 you can lose a small GH on a shaded treeline at 100 yards and further been there done that, perfect vision, but better to have the illumination and maybe not need it than to need and not have.

 

[lancetkenyon]

lancetkenyon, what scope is that in the reticle pics?
Thanks

March F 3-24×52 FML1

 

[lancetkenyon]

WHAT

What scope is that, nothing beats a dot in ffp for hunting , and fast shot acquisition, and of course illuminated.

March F 3-24×52 FML1